Fourth of July

We celebrated the 4th of July by going to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens.  It is sort of a zoo that features 10 acres of tropical vegetation and over 200 animals, and they had a special 2 for 1 entrance fee.  It was a place we had talked about visiting, and the reduced fee made it more attractive.

The zoo has mostly birds, some monkeys, small mammals, snakes and other reptiles including alligators and a crocodile.  There is also a small petting zoo with goats, chickens and a miniature cow.  It is perhaps best know for the flock of free-roaming flamingos.  They wander around in a small pond.  One can purchase "flamingo food" and feed them.  But I just took pictures of them.  Renee added some pictures, some she took of the animal shows we attended.

Someone feeding a flamingo

Renee by a giraffe sculpture

Wildlife Wonder show with Francis the great horned owl

Butterscotch, the python, at the Reptile Encounter show

Mocha, the skunk, rescued from the wild

Then we drove to the Mission Home and had a casual dinner with President and Sister Cusick, President and Sister Healey, and four sister missionaries.  We had a barbeque cookout for our Fourth of July celebration and enjoyed the interaction with everyone. 

Driving back to Sarasota in the evening, we saw lots of fireworks, some fairly close to the interstate as well drove by.


Renee's comments:  Sister Cusick made a great peach pie for dessert.  The mission presidency has become our surrogate family for celebrations and many other events.  I did have an "ah ha" moment when Sister Huber, one of our sister missionaries, offered a blessing on the food.  I have been wondering just what my purpose was here, as it is quite different from what one would anticipate as a senior missionary.  In her prayer she said something to the effect that we be able to help the missionaries fulfill their missionary purpose.  I had a spiritual confirmation that that was what my role was and I will do it willingly!